Linda Schermer-Jones

Linda has spent many years in the medical profession as a doctor. She changed her career to become a solicitor, joining Oliver & Co Solicitors in 2007, before becoming a Partner in 2009. Her role is to head the Clinical Negligence Team as well as manage her own files, which she greatly enjoys.

Linda qualified as a doctor in 1995 and started her basic surgical training in 1997. As part of this surgical training, she worked in various areas of medicine including orthopaedic surgery, urology, general surgery, vascular surgery and accident and emergency medicine. She also obtained her Advanced Trauma Life Support qualification.

Linda qualified as a basic surgeon, becoming a Surgical Member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, in 2001.

Having always had an interest in the law, she decided to obtain a law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 2005, specialising in medical negligence claims.

Head of Department and Clinical Negligence Solicitor

As one of the few solicitors in the country who is also a qualified doctor, her expertise helps her provide her clients with the best possible advice throughout the lifetime of their claim. Linda is involved in a wide range of cases including: surgical failures and injuries, missed or delayed diagnoses (of fractures, cancers and other illnesses), birth injuries (such as cerebral palsy) and failed dental treatment and injuries.

Linda has brought her medical and legal knowledge to many cases, particularly when she helped a client (who had suffered terrible injuries as a result of negligent care) win one of the highest compensation settlements in UK history.

Thirlwall Inquiry

Linda has been instructed to assist with the public inquiry into the terrible crimes committed by Lucy Letby, who killed and injured babies admitted to the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital under her care.

Lady Justice Thirlwall is the chair of the Inquiry, which aims to look at (among other things) the horrible experiences of the parents of the babies, the management and regulatory oversight of the care provided and the wider impact on the NHS.

Assisting other departments

As well as heading the Clinical Negligence Department, Linda also uses her medical expertise to assist her colleagues in other departments, such as Road Traffic Accidents, Personal Injury and Industrial Disease. Her medical experience is extremely useful and transferrable to other departments, especially when injuries are complex. She often helps interpret medical evidence and can help solicitors put appropriate questions to medical experts.

Linda is rated as one of Three Best Rated Medical Negligence Solicitors in Chester.